Yogyakarta To Install Tsunami Early Warning System

Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, Oct 8 (ANTARA) - The Regional Disaster Management Agency of Yogyakarta (BPBD) is to install tsunami early warning devices in Kulon Progo and Bantul Districts of Yogyakarta in the early 2013. "All coastal areas in Yogyakarta have potential of being hit by tsunami, but the most potential are Kulon Progo and Bantul districts as they are located in the low land," Head of the Prevention and Preparation of the local BPBD, Heri Siswanto said on tsunami simulation management on Baron Beach, Tanjung Sari Subdistrict, Sunday. Two devices of tsunami early warning system will be installed on those area. The agency will also set up 15 temporary evacuation shelters in three subdistricts, one in Gunung Kidul, nine in Bantul, and five in Kulon Progo. "The temporary shelter would be built upon the vulnerability level and the location. The shelter would serve as the first place to evacuate victims of tsunami or other natural disaster," Heri said. Heri said the agency gradually improved the infrastructure for disaster management by submitting budget to the National Disaster Management Agency and BPBD`s partners in Yogyakarta. According to Chief Executive of Yogyakarta BPBD Gatot Saptadi, the installment of the tsunami early warning devices will be carried out under recommendation of the Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). "We are still waiting the location of the installment from the BMKG as they are more aware of the location and its potential," Gatot said.